The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto

Mitch Albom “The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto,” Harper Luxe, 2015 Large Print, 526 pp.

Mitch Albom (b. 1958) is an American author, journalist, screenwriter, dramatist, radio and television broadcaster, and musician. His books have sold over 35 million copies worldwide and the Magic Strings was this month’s choice in our monthly book club.  Another enjoyable surprise for me, moving my comfort zone a few more degrees off normal; the book chronicles the life and mysterious death of the fictional musician Frankie Presto, as narrated by, wait for it… the voice of Music.  The novel is told from the first-person perspective of Music, the spiritual embodiment of musical talent.  The story begins and ends at Frankie's funeral where mourners tell legendary stories about Frankie's stardom in the fifties when he was a household name pop singer.

Frankie is an orphan born in a burning church in Spain in 1936 during a fascist raid.  At nine years old, Frankie is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six precious strings. His Forrest Gump-like journey takes him through the musical landscape of the 20th century, from classical to jazz to rock and roll superstardom, meeting and working with other greats like Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Little Richie, and even The Beatles.

My Notes:

Pg. 19:  Everyone joins a band in this life.  You are born into your first one.  Your mother plays the lead.  She shares the stage with your father and siblings.  Or perhaps your father is absent, an empty stool under a spotlight.  …If he surfaces one day, you will have to make room for him.  As life goes on, you will join other bands.

Pg. 518:  Everyone joins a band in this life.  And what you play always affects someone.

Sometimes, it affects the world.

Pg. 86:  Baffa sighed.  You should never construct a lie based on a child’s questions.  It is like writing music based on cymbal crashes.

Pg. 145:  Man searches for courage in drink, but it is not courage that he finds, it is fear that he loses.  A drunken man may step off a cliff.  That does not make him brave, just forgetful.

Pg. 273:  All love stories are symphonies.  And, like symphonies, they have four movements:

Allegro, a quick spirited opening

Adagio, a slow turn

Minuet/Scherzo short steps in ¾ time

Rondo, a repeating theme, interrupted by various passages.

Pg. 390:  I am music.  I mark time.  What would you give to remember everything?  I have this power.  I absorb your memories; when you hear me, you relive them.  A first dance.  A wedding.  The song that played when you got the big news.  No other talent gives your life a soundtrack.